Refrigerating unit



. 28, 1937. L w. MELCHER REFRIGERAI'ING UNIT Original Filed May :51, 1954' v 3 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. '28, 1937.

L. W. MELCH ER REFRIGERATING UNIT- Origihal Filed May 31, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 28, 1937 E H R 2,103,862

REFRIGERA'I'ING UNIT Original Filed May 31/1934 :5 Sheets-Sheet :s

"" IlHHllH-IuHM Patented Dec. 1937 REFBIGERATING UNIT Lee W. Melcher, Waukesha, Wis., assignor to .Waukesha Motor Company, Waukesha, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Original application May 31, 1934, Serial No. 728,229. Divided and this application October 18,1934, Serial No. 748,883 v Claims; (01. 62-115) The present invention relates generally to refrigerating units. More particularly the invention relates to that type of, refrigerating unit which comprises an internal combustion motor,

5 a motor driven compressor and a condenser,

and includes a base on which the'aiorementioned parts are mounted.

One object of the invention is to provide a refrigerating unit of this type in which the motor,

novel and compact manner on the base so that the unit, as a whole, is compact and may be placed or utilized in a comparatively small space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a refrigerating unit of the type under consideration in which the flywheel for the motor has blades on the rim or outer part thereof which, during operation of the unit, direct streams of air around the condenser coils and also the motor and compressor cylinders for cooling i urposes. 1

A further object of the invention is to provide a refrigerating unit of the internal combustion motor, compressor and condenser type, which is which like numerals of reference denote corre--- sponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a view partly in plan and partly 40 in section of a refrigerating unit embodying the invention; I

Figure 2 is a horizontal section showing in detail the manner in which the internal combustion motor is connected to drive the compressor; 45 Figure 3 is a vertical section through the motor;

pressor; Figure 5 is a side elevation of the unit; Figure 6 is a sectional view through the con denser; and

Figure 7 is a detail view of the head for the cylinder of the compressor. 55 The unit which forms the subject matter of compressor and condenser are mounted in a on a cam-shaft 35. A cam 31 on the shaft 35 operates a spring-closed slidably mounted intake Figure 4 is a vertical section through .the comthe invention comprises an internal combustion motor, a compressor and a condenser; It is designed for use with a refrigerating apparatus or system and includes a hollow base 28 which serves as a support for the motor, compressor and condenser. This base is preferably in the nature of a. one-piece casting and is provided with corner lugs 2|. The latter have threaded sockets for bolts (not shown) by which the base may be secured in a suitable place. A chamber 22 is formed in -the base 20 and is adapted to contain a supply of gasoline or other liquid fuel for operating the motor. One end of the base is provided with a filler spout 23 through which the fuel may be poured intothe chamber 22. 15 This spout has a cap 24 for closing it. The base 28 is provided with an integral extension 25' which serves as a bracket to which the crank case of the motor is secured.

The motor comprises a casing which is shaped 2 to form a crank-case 26 and a cylinder 28. The crank-casevis secured to the extension 25 by bolts 21. The cylinder is is formed integrally with the crank-case and projects horizontally from the upper portion of one side of the crank-case 25 as shown in Figure 3. The outer end of the cylinder is closed by a head 23. In addition to the casing the motor comprises a piston 30, a shaft 3|, and a pitman 33. The piston is slidably mounted in the cylinder 28 and the pitman 33 extends between it and a crank 32 on the shaft 3|. The'shaft, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, is journalled in a bearing 3la in one end of the crank-case 26 and has a flywheel 3). The motor is of the four-cycle type in which a power stroke is impartedto the crank-shaft for each alternate stroke of the piston. A pinion 341s fixed to rotate with the crank-shaft 3| and is connectedto drive at a ratio of 2-1 a gear 36 valve 38 which controls the delivery of fuel from a carburetor (not shown) into a firing or combustion chamber 42 in the cylinder head. The carburetor is connected to'an intake duct 4i. A cam 43 on the shaft 35 operates a spring-closed slidably mounted exhaust valve 44 which conv trols the out-flow or exhaust of the products of combustion from the chamber 42. The intake and exhaust valves 'are mounted in a suitable integral extension of the crank case 26 and cylinder 28.: The stems of the valves 38, 44 extend through a chamber 45 which is formed in said extension and contains the closure springs for the valves. A removable head 46 serves as a closure for the chamber 45. The valve 44 controls the flow of the products of combustion to an exhaust duct 41 which is formed in an integral part of the crank-case and may, if desired, be connected to a suitable exhaust pipe for carrying off the products of combustion. A spark plug 48 is mounted in the cylinder head 29 and serves as the firing medium for the fuel in the firing chamber 42. The cylinder 28 and its cylinder head 29 are provided with cooling ribs 49. One side of the crank-case 26 has an opening 50. This opening is closed by a removable head 5l and permits of access to the crankshaft 3| when the head is removed. A breather duct 52 is formed in the head 5| and is provided withribs 53 to prevent the oil in'the crank-case from being splashed out of the duct.

The filler spout 23 (Fig. 4) on the base 28 is provided with a vertical duct 25a which communicates with a lateral duct 25b in the base to deliver lubricating oil to the crank-case.' The duct 25b terminates in an upwardly extending duct 250 which communicates with an opening 25d in the bottom wall of the crank-case 26 to provide means for keeping the oil chamber in said crankcase filled with. oil at the proper level to lubricate the motor. r

The compressor comprises a casing which is shaped to form an integral crank-case 54 and a cylinder55. The inner end of the motor crankcase has an opening 26d. The compressor crankcase 54 fits against the inner end of the crankcase 26 of the motor and closes said opening 26d. The crank-case 54 is secured to the crank-case 26 by bolts 56 which pass through abutting flanges at the contiguous faces of the two crank-cases. An inner bearing 31c for the motor crank-shaft is mounted in the inner end wall 51 of the compressor crank-case. operates the intake and exhaust valves of the motor extends laterally through the wall 51 of thecompressor crank-case 54, and serves to drive or operate the compressor. The cam-shaft 35 is journalled in a bearing 58 in the outer end wall of the crank-case 26 of the motor casing and in an anti-friction bearing 59 which is carried or mounted in the wall 51 of the compressor crankcase 54. A suitable bellows type seal 68 is provided between the cam-shaft 35 and the wall 51 of the compressor crank-case to prevent leakage of refrigerant from the compressor crank-case 54 to the motor crank-case. The outer end of the compressor crank-case 54 is provided with a removable cover plate 6| to provide access to the interior of that case. In addition to the casing the compressor comprises a piston 62, an eccentric 63, and a connecting rod 64 between the piston and said eccentric. The piston is slidably mounted in the cylinder 55 and the eccentric is mounted on and keyed or otherwise rigidly secured to the end of the cam-shaft in the crankcase of the compressor. The cylinder has ribs 55a on the outer periphery thereof for cooling purposes. A regulating valve 66 and a duct 61 serve to deliver into the compressor crank-case the refrigerant from the low side of the refrigerating apparatus with which the unit is associated. A valve head 68 is fitted against the outer end of the compressor cylinder 55 and is secured in place by a removable closure head 69 which is secured to the cylinder by bolts 10. An intake duct 1| (see Figure 4) is formed in an integral I portion of the cylinder and crank-case of the The cam-shaft 35 which compressor to conduct low pressure refrigerant from the crank-case 54 to a chamber 12 in the valve head 68. A port 13 leads from the chamber 12 to the outer faceof the valve head 68. A leafspring check valve 14 is fixed by screws 15 tothe outer face of the head 68 and normally closes the port 13. 'A port 16 extends through the head 68 to deliver low pressure refrigerant into the cylinder 55. A gasket 11 is interposed between the outer face of the valve head 68 and the head 69 and is provided with an opening 18 which forms a space between said heads .for the valve 14 and the flow of refrigerant from the port 13 to the port 16. The head 68 has an exhaust port 19 leading from the compressor cylinder and communicating with an opening in the gasket 11. A leaf-spring check valve 8| for the duct 19 is secured by screws 82 to the outer face of the head 68 and is disposed in the opening 88 to permit the outfiow of high pressure refrigerant through the port 19 from the cylinder 55. An exhaust duct 83 extends through the head 68 from the opening 88 and communicates with a duct 84, to which the high pressure side of the refrigerant line is connected through a suitable regulating valve 86.

The condenser is mounted on top of the motor crank-case and comprises a coil of pipe 81 which is contained in a box 88. Angle iron brackets 89 are welded to the sides and bottom of the box and these brackets are secured by bolts 98 to the motor crank-case. The invention contemplates cooling the condenser by means of a blast of air from the fly-wheel 3") and for that purpose one end of the box 88 is cut away to form a segmental opening 9i. conforming .to the periphery of the fly-wheel so that the current of air emanating from the top portion of the fiy-wheelwill be projected through the box 88 and around the condenser coil 81. The other end of the box 88 is open for the escape of air after it has passed around the coil. The coil 81 consists preferably of serially connected loops which extend obliquely downward from the top of the box 88 at the inlet side to the bottom of the box adjacentto the out- .let side of the box. The box 88 serves as a. tunnel for the air from the fly-wheel and confines the blast so that it will contact with the coil and efiiciently cool the refrigerant in the coil as it flows therethrough. The loops are supported in frames 92 which are fitted and secured in the box 88. The inlet end of the condenser is suitably connected to the high pressure side 85 of the refrigerant line. The outlet end of the condenser is connected by a pipe ,to a refrigerant receiver 93 which is mounted at one end of the base 20. The receiver is connected by a pipe line to the evaporating coil (not shown), as well understood in the art, usually through a suitable expansion valve.

In the arrangement and mounting exhibited the motor cylinder 28 is horizontally disposed at one side of the crank-shaft, the compressor cylinder at the other side, and the condenser above both crank-cases. The fly-wheel 3Ib comprises a hub 95, a rim 96, and blades or spokes 91 which extend between the rim and a flange 98 and are inclined relatively to the axis of rotation to draw air from the outer side of the fly-wheel and force it inwardly thereof longitudinally of the axis of said wheel. upper portion of the fly-wheel will force a stream of air through the opening 91 in the side of the box 88 to cool the condenser; one side portion of the fly-wheel will force a stream of air into contact with and around the motor cylinder 28; and

As a result of this arrangement the the other side of the fly-wheel will force a stream of air into contact with and aroundthe compressor cylinder 55. These three streams of air serve efliciently to cool the motor, the compressor, and the condenser. Because of the arrangement of the motor cylinder, compressor cylinder, and condenser the unit as a whole is compact and may be placed in a small space or area..

When the unit is in operation the motor operates through the medium of the cam shaft 35 to drive the compressor. During reciprocation of the piston 62 in the cylinder 55 of the casing of the compressor the refrigerant is drawn from the crank case 54 and in a compressed state is delivered to the condenser. During drive or operation of the motor the blades 91 on the flywheel 3") direct streams of air around the coil of the condenser and the motor and compressor cylinders for cooling purposes.

The refrigerating unit herein described is especially efficient in operation because of the manner of cooling the condenser and the motor and compressor cylinders, and contemplates a compact arrangement of the parts.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

This application for Letters Patent of the United States is an application in the nature of a division of that filed by me May 31, 1934, Serial 7 No. 728,229.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a refrigerating unit of the character described, the combination of an internal combustion motor comprising a crank-case, a cylinder connected to and extending outwardly from one side of the crankcase and a crank-shaft journalled in said crank-case and having one end thereof projecting through, and extending beyond,

one end of the case; a compressor associated with anddriven by the, motor; a condenser connected to receive compressed refrigerant from the compressor and consisting of a coil positioned adjacent to the cylinder; and a flywheel mounted on said one end of the crank shaft of the motor and provided with blades arranged to force streams of air from them around the condenser coil and the motor cylinder during operation of the motor.

2. In a refrigerating unit of the character described, the comblnation of an internal combustion motor comprising a crank-case, a cylinder connected to and extending horizontally in one direction from one side of the crank+case and a crank-shaft journalled in said crank-case and having one end thereof projecting through, and extending beyond, the crank case; a compressor associated with and driven by the motor; a condenser connected to receive compressed refrigerant from the compressor and comprising an openended box-like housing mounted on the top of themotor crank-case, and a coil in the housing; and-a flywheel mounted on said one end of the crank-shaft and provided with blades arranged to forcestreams of air from them through the housing and around the motor cylinder for cooling purposes during operation of the motor.

3. In a refrigerating unit of the character described, the combination of an internal combustion motor comprising a crank-case, a cylinder connected to and extending outwardly from the crank-case in one direction, and a crank-shaft journalled in the crank-case and having one end thereof projecting through, and extending be-' yond, one end of said crank-case, a compressor of the piston type driven by the motor and comprising a crank case located adjacent to the other end of the motor crank case, and a cylinder extending outwardly from the last mentioned crank case in another direction; a condenser connected to receive compressed refrigerant from the compressor and consisting of a coil positioned adjacent to the motor crank-case but out of alignment with the motor and compressor cylinder and a flywheel mounted on said one end of the crankcase and provided with blades arranged to force streams of air from them around the condenser coil and the motor and compressor cylinders for cooling purposes during operation of the motor.

4. In a refrigerating unit of the character described, the combination of an internal combustion motor comprising a crank-case, a cylinder joined to one side of and extending horizontally in one direction from, the crank-case, and a crank-shaft journalled in the crank-case and having one end thereof projecting through, and extending beyond, one end of said crank-case, a compressor of the piston type driven by the motor and comprising a crank-case secured directly to the other end of the motor crank-case, and, a

cylinder joined to and extending horizontally in the other direction from the compressor crankcase; a condenser connected to receive compressed refrigerant from the compressor and positioned directly above the top of the crank-case of the motor; and a flywheel on the crank-shaft of the motor provided with blades for forcing streams' of air from them to the condenser and aroundthe motor and compressor cylinders for cooling purposes during operation of the motor.

5. In a refrigerating unit of the character described, the combination of an internal combustion motor comprising a crank-case, a cylinder jointed to one side of and extending, horizontally in one direction from, the crank-case, and a crank-shaft journalled in the crank-case and having one end thereof projecting through, and extending beyond, one end of said crank-case; a compressor of the piston type driven by the motor and comprising a crank-case secured directly to the other end of the motor crank-case, and a mounted on said one end of the crank-shaft of the motor and having blades on the periphery thereof arranged to force air from them through the housing and around the condenser coil and the motor and compressor cylinders for cooling purposes during operation of the motor.

LEE w. manna. 

